The former owner and name giver Louis Gaspard d'Estournel was known as the Maharaja of Saint-Estèphe. He decorated the castle in Indian style, gave big parties and lived above his means. In 1852 he was completely destitute and had to sell his domain. He died a year later. Cos d'Estournel is perhaps the Chateau with the most new and advanced technology for making wine. From picking to ripening the bottles, everything is carefully checked and carried out with the greatest care. For example, they have managed to create a vinification process in which the wine is transported without pumping. All operations are in fact carried out by gravity. In 1855 the Chateau received the 2nd Grand Cru Classe status
